Dig, spike, kill... boys’ volleyball having a great season

A Wachusett player (right) spikes the ball against Alqonquin on May 8, part of the Mountaineers’ three-set win.
Joyce Roberts photo When eyeing successful Wachusett Regional spring sports teams, one should not overlook the boys’ volleyball squad that is getting the job done match after match with seemingly relative ease.

Their record sits at a remarkable 13-1, and in almost all of those contests they are dispatching their opponents in short order.

The team took home a pair of wins last week including a 25-18, 25-7, 25-17 sweep of host Marlborough on May 10 after sending home a disappointed Algonquin team on May 8 in three straight sets – 25-17, 25-11 and 25-22. Senior co-captains Eric James and Sean Sampson set the pace, recording nine and eight kills, respectively.

Team chemistry combined with skillful and dedicated players have set the team in ready motion for playoffs looming on the near horizon.

“I think we work good as a team,” said James of his team’s season to date. “We have a lot of players who know how to pass the ball and set up good plays. We’re consistent and that makes a difference.”

“These kids really work well together,” said head coach Peter Cranson. “It’s their chemistry. They can read each other. They know on the court where they’re supposed to be playing. They know their positions and they pick up the digs and the kills when they need to. They come ready to play every game.”

Many of the team’s key contributors have played the sport formally and informally together for years, creating a huge advantage.

“We have 11 seniors so we’ve grown up playing together, especially over the last four years. A lot of us are friends outside the court,” said senior co-captain and defensive specialist Aiden Crowley. “We really talk a lot and I think that builds us to do well on the court.”

Others who have been getting the job done for the team are seniors Seigen Kubota, Ken Lin, Tyler Coyne, Brian Van Doren, John Russel, Eric Mayer and Chris Gallotta as well as juniors Goushi Kubota, Ben Aho, Brad Durkin and Elliot Moore.

The team’s only loss has been to powerhouse Milford in just the third match of the season. The teams matched up again on May 15 at WRHS with the Mountaineers clearly looking for payback.

“We’ve got to be pumped up. It’s the biggest game of the year by far,” said Crowley. “We have to bring the energy right on the court and play hard because they’re a great team.”

“We’re excited. They’re a good team but hopefully we can get the better of them,” Sampson said. “We need to be at our best but playing them at our home court should be an advantage.”

Cranson points out where the team will need to focus most. “We need to work on blocking and take away their big hitting. They dig really well and so we can’t give them any free balls over. Everything we send over has to have a little sauce on it.”

The team closes out its regular season on the road versus Douglas on May 17.